
FIFA World Cup 2018: Defender Gotoku Sakai becomes third Japanese player to retire after elimination from tournament
Japanese defender Gotoku Sakai has become the third player to retire after Japan's heart-breaking late defeat against Belgium eliminated them from the World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Japan FA chief says Akira Nishino will step down as coach; blasts critics after team's return from Russia
JFA president Kozo Tashima told a news conference that caretaker boss Akira Nishino would not continue in the role after steering Japan to the knockout stages in Russia.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Japan captain Makoto Hasebe retires from international football after heartbreaking loss to Belgium
"I have decided to end the chapter of my career with the national team with this tournament," Hasebe wrote on his Instagram account.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Japan qualify for tournament last-16 despite loss to Poland
A chorus of whistles and howls from the 42,189 spectators sent the teams from the pitch in Volgograd after a farcical end to their final Group H match.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Yuya Osako heads Japan to historic win over 10-man Colombia in Group H opener
Osako's 73rd-minute winner meant the Japanese avenged their 4-1 mauling in the group stages of Brazil 2014 as Colombia played with a man down for 86 minutes in Saransk.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Japanese footballers worried about family after earthquake, send condolences to those affected
The Japan football team has sent its condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Osaka, with some players worried about family living in the area.

Bayern Munich win record fourth Bundesliga title on the spin to pacify European agony
Robert Lewandowski netted twice as Bayern Munich became the first club to win four German league titles in a row on Saturday with a 2-1 victory at Ingolstadt.